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Recently we looked at applying for funding to help our students reduce the cost of attending Siva Afi Classes. I thought this would be the right category because Siva Afi is a sport like a Samoan martial art with competitions around the world. Then I was told we needed to have a registered head body and rules for the sport. I didn’t have those answers and when I brought it up in a Siva Afi Facebook page I was met with silence from all but one person. I did not realise that I would be faced with the question of whether Siva Afi was a sport or cultural dance.
Originally, I saw Siva Afi as a sport. Like Samoa’s version of a martial arts because it was about movements that were made when warriors went to war. I thought it would be in this category because it was like the Maori Mau Rakau (Taiaha). They use a war club, and it was used for war. So, what is the difference?
When I was in University in Hawaii my room mate and I walked past a room of men in lines holding padded sticks and moving in unison with their footwork, their hand movements and even the sounds they made at specific points. At the time I knew it as taiaha. Today I know it as Mau Rakau. What I saw was a very organised training and display of Maori martial arts. The footwork was the first thing we learned then there were strikes and defensive moves. We learned combinations and there was time to spar with partners. Mau Rakau had names for movements and combinations and even had testing which included a level of fitness that needed to be achieved.
This is not what I saw when learning Siva Afi. The name alone is different in different places. Is it ailao, ailao afi, siva afi or fireknife dancing? When Logan was learning we tried to research the names of the movements because having learned Taiaha I expected to see that level of organisation for Siva Afi. We saw a few names for moves and then we found the Siva Afi card game. We found names and tried to put these to the moves we had learned. This was a little difficult because we were trying to put a picture of a movement and match it to a physical movement. I brought this up in the Facebook group and asked if there was a written document with these movement names. No one answered. I have heard that a document is currently being made, and we are so grateful and look forward to using this for our classes.
Siva Afi originates from ailao. Ailao was an ancient performance that Samoan warriors would perform for the village to re-enact the battles that they had faced. If we are to go by the origins of ailao then Siva Afi is a cultural dance, and not a sport. It is not like Taiaha in that the actual movements were what was used during war. The moves were re-enactments with increased flourishes and entertaining aspects and not the actual Samoan art of war.
With this understanding I know now how to categorise Siva Afi. I am also excited by the Siva Afi book that is being made. Siva Afi is a big part of Samoan culture. The origins of ailao are still seen today in cultural processions and in Taupou and Manaia dances. The addition of fire makes the dance more unique. I personally would still like to see more cohesion amongst Siva Afi worldwide. Having set names and agreed upon rules means that Siva Afi can grow even bigger.
Why are these aspects important for the growth of Siva Afi? Without the structure, the rules and the set movements there is no consistency. There is no process as to who can teach, who can perform and then we end up with performers who get hurt, who cause damage and that brings the name of Siva Afi down. Not only this but it preserves the cultural aspects which I believe is most important so that we don’t lose more knowledge over time. When we can show that we have the consistency and the structure then other organisations will recognise Siva Afi and would be more willing to fund the growth.
I am making this a side project for me to put that structure in place so Siva Afi can grow. If you would like to help or suggest who you think we should consult, please email us sales(at)measinasamoa.com.au. I know this is going to be a lengthy project and I am willing to put my time and effort into making sure one aspect of Samoan culture is preserved for our future generations.